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Yamaha back in action in Indianapolis

After a four-week summer break Movistar Yamaha MotoGP returns to the USA to kick off the second half of the MotoGP season with the Indianapolis Grand Prix this weekend.

Valentino Rossi enjoyed a successful first half of the season, including some exhilarating battles. The Doctor fought hard with rivals in Qatar, Jerez, Le Mans, Mugello and Catalunya, securing five podiums. Rossi returns recharged from his holiday and intends to maintain his competitive edge for the rest of the year.

Teammate Jorge Lorenzo had a challenging start to the season but kept his head down and gradually returned to form. His season’s highlights have included the thrilling battle in Mugello and his strong races in Argentina and Germany. The summer break has given Lorenzo time to recover both physically and mentally, leaving him ready to give his all the coming nine races.

Thanks to a solid start of the season Rossi has 141 championship points, putting him in third place in the standings, just seven points behind Dani Pedrosa in second. Lorenzo is motivated to continue moving up the leaderboard. He is currently fifth in the championship standings, with a gap of a mere two points to Andrea Dovizioso in fourth.

The recently repaved Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the second American track on the MotoGP calendar. Though the previous surface of this circuit has often been called challenging, both Movistar Yamaha MotoGP riders have enjoyed their share of successes at the 4.170 m long track. Few will have forgotten how Rossi withstood high winds and heavy rain brought on by the remnants of Hurricane Ike to take victory at the first Indianapolis GP in 2008. One year later it was Lorenzo’s turn to claim the win. Over the last six years the Spaniard has been on Indianapolis Motor Speedway podium five times.

Valentino RossiChampionship Standings: 3rd / 141 points“This break was very important, I was able to rest and recharge to start this second part of the season in the best way. The upcoming races will not be easy because we will now arrive at tracks that are difficult for me. Indianapolis is not my favourite track, but they changed the layout and the asphalt a little bit, so we have to see. We hope to be competitive there and to be competitive for all the second part of the season.”

Jorge LorenzoChampionship Standings: 5th / 97 points“Back to work! After a very good time relaxing while on holiday I’m now keen to get back on the bike. It’s always important to get some days off to recover physically and mentally, but I’m looking forward to ride in Indy. During this summer break I could rest and keep focused for the second half of the season. There are still nine races left and I want to give my best. I want to fight and ride in my best way to try to win. During the last race in Germany I felt quite comfortable with the bike and I think I can come back in good shape during this part of the year. I’m looking forward to racing in Indy, especially with the new asphalt, to check if it is better for us than in the previous years."

Massimo Meregalli - Movistar Yamaha MotoGP Team Director“Now we have all had an opportunity to rest and recharge our batteries and we are ready to challenge for the second half of the season. We are all looking forward to getting to Indianapolis and getting back on track on Friday morning. I know that both Vale and Jorge had a good break so they are full of energy and impatient to ride!”

Tech3 duo ready to kick start second half of season at the BrickyardMonster Yamaha Tech3 Team riders Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith will recommence their 2014 MotoGP World Championship campaigns at the Indianapolis Grand Prix this weekend after the mid point break for the 10thrace of the season.

Rookie Pol Espargaro will intend to build on his noticeable start to the first half of the season, which saw him finish in 7th in the world championship standings before the break and continue to bridge the gap to the leading MotoGP bikes. On the other side of the garage, Britain’s Bradley Smith will confidently aim to turn a somewhat tricky opening half of the season around and battle for a competitive and confidence boosting result this weekend.

Pol EspargaroChampionship Standings: 7th / 67 points“With the first half of the season completed, there was time to analyse how I had performed so far this year, but now after the summer break I already can't wait to get back on track to continue to climb higher. My performance in the opening 9 rounds was generally positive even if luck wasn't on our side especially during the last couple of races and I hope we can show our real potential here in Indianapolis, which will see us closer to the front as I know I have more to offer. As for the Indy track itself, it is a really famous one that I am really proud to ride along with the other riders due to its rich, amazing history. There have been some revisions to the circuit which will be positive for everyone but especially for me as I have ridden well here in the past. I won my first race in the 125cc class in 2009 as well as claiming my first podium in Moto2 in 2011, so this track will always have a special place in my heart which inspires me to really go for it this weekend as well as for the rest of the year.”

Bradley SmithChampionship Standings: 11th / 48 points“After an enjoyable summer break where I was able to fully recharge my batteries, I am ready for action this weekend at Indy and am determined to get a really strong result for myself as well as the Monster Yamaha Tech3 team to get us back on target in the championship. It’s easy to see that it has been tricky for me so far this year. Yet, my finger injury has cleared plus I am highly motivated to try my hardest to clinch a position inside the top 5 this weekend, which is where I know I need to be every race. It will be interesting to see how the modifications of the circuit affect the pace and the overtaking opportunities but for sure the changes will be positive. Now, it’s up to me. I just can’t wait to get back on the Yamaha YZR-M1, bounce back and go hard for the second half of the season.”

NGM Forward Racing returns to the USA for the Indianapolis GPThe NGM Forward Racing Team heads back across the Atlantic to the USA for the second American round on the calendar, the Indianapolis Grand Prix.

Relaxed after a nice summer break, the NGM Forward Racing riders are ready to tackle the second part of the season, starting from the US track that hosts a GP since 2008.

Aleix EspargaroChampionship Standings: 6th / 77 points“We are heading to the USA after the summer break. I was able to rest after Sachsenring, spending a week at the seaside before returning on my usual training schedule. It will be interesting to understand the grip of the new asphalt. I’m very excited for this US round, we arrive after three very positive races in a row and I’m determined to keep this good momentum. The atmosphere is always special in America and I look forward to the race.”

Colin EdwardsChampionship Standings: 18th / 8 points“Indianapolis is a very special place with a lot of history behind. My family and friends will be there and I’m sure it will be an emotional weekend. I’m curious to see how the new surface is, as there used to be 4 different kinds of tarmacs. Also the layout has changed, so it will be very interesting. I really look forward to Indy.”

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